I'm becoming more and more concerned about some strange symptoms that are really bothering me. I've been having vision problems. I have all the signs of optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve). With that, I also have this problem of my eyes moving really fast left and right. It's like when you read a book, and you track left and right to read each line, but speed it up about 100 times. It's like a short burst that lasts only a few seconds. Everything goes blurry for those few seconds. Today it's been happening a couple of times a minute. And I'm having difficulty with my right arm/hand. I've broken three glasses today from this weird kind of spasm. I'll go to pick up a glass, or put the glass back down, and when I do my arm involuntarily jerks rather violently, knocking over the glass. I've been dropping things too. I'll be holding onto something and it's like it just slips out of my grip without me having any sensation of it. It's like my brain no longer is connected to the nerves in my fingers. I'm having trouble writing as well. And, to top it all off, my right foot seems to be having the same problem as my right hand. My foot drags a bit when I walk. Unfortunately, these are classic symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. I've heard of people having overlapping ilness as in MS and SLE together. I know I shouldn't worry until I have some tests done to see if it MS, but the symptoms I'm having are so pronounced and obvious. I have an Eye Dr. appt tomorrow, and I see my G.P. Friday. Most likely he is going to refer me to a neurologist. MRI of the brain, and taking a spinal fluid sample are generally the first tests given if MS is suspected. It's something like 2:00 am right now, I should try to get some sleep. Thanks for letting me unload a bit.

teresaa40

04-03-2008, 01:08 AM

Hey rob

How are you today? Any news from your dr appt?

Hugs

sits_inthe_corner

04-03-2008, 04:39 AM

Hugsss Rob,

My friend who has MS said that when her vision goes (yes it comes and goes like a flare) it's like the old tv sets that the screen flipps and rolls. Makes it hard for her to keep her eyes open.

This is very tireing for her...she says her head gets heavy to hold up because of the constant vision flipping. She rests her eyes by wearing very dark sunglasses. This started for her when she was in her late 20's.

As of a yr ago, she is in remission. I dont know how long that will last. But for now she is happy to have control again after so many years.

Whether or not you have MS your vision must be wearing on you...try to rest them. Let us know how you are doing. Keeping my fingers crossed for ya. Your in my thoughts.

Gentle hugs
Susan

Saysusie

04-03-2008, 07:55 AM

Hey Rob;
Please let us know how your doctor's appointment went. I truly, truly hope that MS is not the diagnosis. But, whatever it is, it does sound like some CNS involvement. Keep us posted.

Peace and Blessings
Saysusie

rob

04-03-2008, 09:11 AM

Thanks alot everyone,

I just got back from my Eye Dr., and as I thought, he has referred me to an Opthamologist. He couldn't give me any definite answers, but did say there is something going on in my right eye. Pressure, inflammation, and an excessive amount of those bothersome "floaters" . So now I'm waiting for the opthamologist to call with an opening. I see my GP Dr. tomorrow, and I'm sure that will be another referral as well. I feels a little better knowing I now have the ball rolling at least. I can wish all day long that I don't have another possible problem to deal with, but that doesn't change the fact that there is something going on that needs to be dealt with. Thanks for all the support guys, it really makes a difference. I'll keep you updated.

P.S. I started using a voice recognition program on my computer today, to help me with my difficulty reading/typing. I just speak normally and it types for me by voice. It also reads everything to me, so communication back and forth is not a problem.

Rob

sits_inthe_corner

04-03-2008, 10:17 AM

Ummm Rob?

Is the voice recognition thingy fluent in typo and bad grammer? I can her it now...Sorry Rob, I have no idea what this moron is typing! :lol:

rob

04-03-2008, 10:43 AM

Thats funny! It stopped as soon as it saw "Ummm rob", and said it cannot read that word, would I like to continue. It sounds so funny. It's supposed to "learn" after you've used it for awhile. It kinda sounds like the female computer voice from Alien or Star Trek. "You have ten minutes before your computer self destructs Captain Picard, would you like to proceed?" Umm, no thanks. "Sorry, that doesn't compute." BOOM. It will say cuss words too. Oh, I am going to have fun with this! But if it starts telling me "Resistance is Futile", or "An Alien Entity Has Penetrated The Outer Airlock", I'm going to ask for my money back.

sits_inthe_corner

04-03-2008, 10:50 AM

I'll try not to frustraite her too much, but lol I've been very dislexic lately and my typing is all over the place. She just might quit on ya ha ha ha ha.

Boy it does sound fun to use. I might like to use something like that. At the moment it really hurts my right arm to type for very long.

Glad to hear that you have the "ball rolling" as well....I have many of those troublesome floaters. Did your doc tell you how to get rid of them? It drives me crazy. At one time I wondered if that was a symptom of what was ailing me in my eyes. Possibly causing the miagraines. But alas, the doc said that they do not cause miagraines.

Yes if my computer said something like "Resistance is futile", I would get out also. :D My sons are trekkies...I used to watch the originals with my dad, so I have a warm place when I think about....Space...A final frontier...hey maybe the ailiens have a cure for lupus :lol:

Actually, it would be nice if Dr McCoy would come in with his shot and give me something that would cure me.

Sigh.......

Well have a good one,

Karen

Numpty

04-03-2008, 12:22 PM

Rob, will keep the good thoughts heading your way for your various appointments. Hope it doesn’t turn out to be anything too serious but that you do get an answer at the same time.

C x

Oh and also I almost forgot, “You will be assimilated”. :D

Faith

04-03-2008, 03:29 PM

Hey Rob,

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everything comes out okay.

Take care,

Faith 8)

Oluwa

04-03-2008, 04:36 PM

Hello Rob...

Unload, unload..I have unloaded my share...

I hope your new symptoms gets resolved soon. It like walking along and tossing items on your back..oops another one, and another. I hope the load gets lighter and not heavier. Its tough and you've had a hard time already..Hugs..

Hey, is that a separate voice recognition program or is it the one that comes with Windows Vista. I have it, but yet to launch it.

In my prayers..
Oluwa..out in the corn.

rob

04-03-2008, 06:58 PM

Oluwa, it is so good to hear from you. I was ready to send out a search party. Seriously, I know you've been fighting trench warfare with IT. I'm just glad to hear from you. The voice recognition is what came with Vista. I did download some free updates for it though. It's really easy to launch. Just go into your "ease of access" option before you log in. It does take some getting used to, as I am discovering, but it is easy to use. I'll still be using old fashioned eyes and fingers unless I have a really bad day. As far as a possible MS diagnosis, well, I've already lived through some bad experiences, this will be no different, regardless of the diagnosis. Of course, when it's 2:00 am, and I'm without sleep, trapped in my thoughts, I'm not quite as brave, or confident. I hope all is well with you tonight, it's good to have you back.

Rob

Oluwa

04-04-2008, 01:09 PM

Hi Rob,

Thank you...It is good to be back even if I am a bit groggy, a bit of a blank slate.

I will have to launch the program because wow, before my fingers, wrist and back were so painful to type. Now since I am on new pills, I am doing pretty good...

How was your GP appointment today? Did you get an appointment with Opthamologist?

When it is 2:00AM watch, QVC..it'll numb you back to sleep. Animal Planet here is on till 3:00..Nickland. Anything that doesn't require thought, or last more than half hour...

Happy Night,
Oluwa

rob

04-05-2008, 11:33 AM

Hey everbody,

I saw my Dr. Yesterday, and I definitely have something affecting my central nervous system. MS is a distinct possibility. I was referred to a specialist next week for an MRI of my noggin. The results of that will determine what's next. If they do see the telltale lesions in the brain that MS causes, then they will take some spinal fluid, fun huh? got some minor pain meds, and was able to sleep well last night. My hand tremors have calmed down a bit, and the vision in my right eye is still dim and fuzzy, but I'm ok. Thanks again for all the concern, and support. It makes a world of difference. Gotta go get some more zzz's. I talk to you guys again soon. I hope everyone is doing alright.

Rob

hatlady

04-05-2008, 01:52 PM

Hi Rob;

Hope today is a good day - and that your vision problems are subsiding. Many hugs - and keep us posted!

(what can I say to shake up that voice recognition software of yours? Hmm, I guess I should stay away from bad words, but what will it say to.... wie gehts?)

I am glad to hear you have been referred to a specialist. I am still praying you do not have MS. Taking fluid from the spinal, Eeeck!! You are very brave!! Good to hear you are sleeping at night and the tremors have calmed down.

Keep us updated.

Faith 8)

rob

04-06-2008, 05:56 AM

Good Morning,

Today I'm feeling tolerable. My vision has cleared a bit, but not 100% The other symptoms seem to come and go in waves every few hours or so. Thank you Faith for your compliment. I'm not relishing the thought of a big needle into my spine. I sure don't feel brave, but thank you all the same. Hatlady, your German words remind me of Hogan's Heroes. "Vee hav vays of making you talk!". Too funny. I know some German. I learned some of the basics in preparation for a trip to Germany. I was scheduled to fly there on Sept the 13th of 2001. Of course, that was canceled. Not soon after, my business was inundated with govt/defense related contracts, and I was never able to go. I hope someday I can go there. My father e-mailed me a couple of raunchy jokes. To hear a synthesized female computer voice cuss like a sailor is really funny to listen to. She can't speak German though. Anyway, thanks for all the support.